Welcome to StewardShip

Your free trial and membership will be finalized when you check out.

*Bordeaux Futures, Wine Clubs and Corporate Gifts are not eligible. Applies to standard shipping, which is quite speedy! Expedited shipping available at discounted rates for StewardShip members.Learn More

Winemaker's Notes

"($90) Bright, dark red. Subdued but complex nose offers raspberry, red cherry, rose petal and smoky underbrush; lovely lift and perfume. Sweet and vinous, with excellent energy and cut to the red fruit and floral flavors. Very fine-grained, fresh wine that really transcends the vintage. Finishes with firm but noble tannins and terrific subtle persistence. This was even more brisk with extended aeration, suggesting that it will be better for a bit of patience."International Wine Cellar 92+

"Gorgeous, perfumed aromas of cherry, strawberry and raspberry follow through to a full body, with super well-integrated tannins and a long finish. Wonderfully crafted for the vintage. Best after 2009."Wine Spectator

"The 2003 Brunello di Montalcino is all about understatement and balance. Crushed flowers, raspberries and spices all emerge from this gorgeous, soft-textured wine. Notes of underbrush, tobacco and tar add further complexity on the mid-palate as the wine opens to reveal outstanding length and complexity. This is truly a remarkable effort, particularly in the way the tannins are so seamlessly integrated into the wine. While the 2003 Brunello doesn't quite reach the level of his superb 2001, this wine should be on readers' short lists of wines to seek out in 2003. It is a commendable effort in every way. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2018."Wine Advocate

Siro Pacenti Winery

Giancarlo Pacenti is one of the leaders of the younger generation of innovative Montalcinesi who take inspiration and new ideas from outside of the zone and often beyond Italian borders. His two vineyards lie in two very different areas of Montalcino: one to the northeast of the town, where the wines develop full, ripe qualities; and one to the hotter southwest area near Sant’Angelo in Colle, which produces a more powerful, minerally wine. The Rosso is considered to be one of the very best, with the fruit’s inherent structure delicately enhanced by a brief passage in barriques (the 2006 vintage has just received 90 points from Parker). Since the 1995 vintage, his Brunello has repeatedly won Gambero Rosso's most prestigious Tre Bicchieri (Three Glass) award in addition to 90+ scores from all the major international publications.
View all Siro Pacenti Wines

About Tuscany

One of the most important wine regions in Italy, Tuscany is home to the cities of Florence and Siena, the districts of Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino, and the wineries of Sassicaia, Tignanello and Ornellaia. Tuscany is also home to the indigenous Italian grape variety, Sangiovese. Most of the wine coming from Tuscany is made from some clone of this varietal, but a growing trend, started by the renegade winemakers of those Super Tuscans, is to incorporate more international varietals.

Notable Facts

The most well known sub-districts of Tuscany are Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (note that Montepulciano here refers to the local village, not the grape variety found in the Italian region of Abruzzi). Wine labeled from these regions is DOC-regulated and Sangiovese-based blends. Quality wine from these DOC areas has been on the rise for decades, with top-notch winemakers and wineries shedding the low-quality image once held for Tuscan wine by producing consistently outstanding bottlings that range from deliciously drinkable to highly ageable. Newer to the scene are regions like Bohlgeri and the Maremma, home to of what are now termed "Super-Tuscans," named for the wine coming from the Tuscany area, but not following all of the DOC or DOCG laws required in Italy. In the
1970's, some pioneer winemakers began buying land outside of Chianti and Montalcino, and planting not only Sangiovese, but also international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The wine they produced only fit into the lowest Italian category of "vina da tavola," but the winemakers sold the wine for high prices, creating an almost cult following, and spurning a new wine category called IGT.

About Italy

A little ditty about Italy...

This country has about as many wines as its had governments. With 20 different regions, hundreds of DOCs and even more indigenous varieties, the amount of wine made in Italy is mind-boggling. Most of the juice, however, remains in the country for thirsty Italians. Wine is food in Italy and its rare that a meal is consumed without a glass
of vino. That said, it's not common to find many folks drinking wine without food either. In turn, it's a match, and a mighty good one at that. In fact, it's safe to say that Italian wine is a foodie wine – one that goes on the table for a myraid of meals.

The 2009 Brunello di Montalcino displays clear and intense ruby red color with aromas of fruit blends and hints of
vanilla and sweet leaf tobacco. On the palate, full and round entry, generous mid palate and a persistent and intriguingly ...

Brunello di Montalcino Casanova di Neri is characterised simply by its white label, to the point where it has now
been renamed "White label" on the American market. This "Etichetta bianca" is born in vineyards that look to Montalcino from ...

This Brunello di Montalcino is aged in Slavonian oak barrels for about 30 months and in the bottle for a
year. It was born in their historic vineyards. Its constant high quality is further enhanced by its elegance and finesse. ...

Alcohol By Volume Guide

Most wine ranges from 10-16% alcohol by volume. Some varietals tend to have higher (for example Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon) or lower alcohol levels (Pinot Noir and many white varietals), but there is always some variation from producer to producer. Some wine falls outside of this range, for instance Port weighs in closer to 20%, while Muscat and Riesling are usually a bit below 10%.

Wine Style Guide

Light & Crisp

Light to medium bodied wines that are high in acid and light to medium fruit. Typically no oak.